The RAF Fairey Battle Attack on Veldwezelt Bridge

This first wave, whose objective was the bridge at Veldwezelt, was led by Flying Officer Garland and consisted of three bombers. They reached Veldwezelt five minutes after the other wave attacked at Vroenhoven. Diving from an altitude of 300 meters, the aim was to release their bombs from a height of thirty meters. The machine L5439 PH-N of the Australian McIntosh was badly damaged by flak. He released his bombs but missed the bridge. The aircraft crash landed near Neerharen and the three crew taken prisoner.

Sgt Marland’s bomber L5227 PH-J was shot down over Veldwezelt. The three crew, Marland, Footner and Perrin, lost their lives.

The third aircraft P2204 PH-K was flown by Flying Officer Donald Garland. It was hit by flak on the approach to the bridge killing Garland, observer Sgt Gray) and gunner/wireless operator LAC Reynolds.

The result of this latest attempt by the RAF could not have been more tragic: four bombers were shot down, the fifth barely made it back and two crews (six highly experienced men) were killed. Although the bridge was hit twice, the damage was minimal. In short, the attacks by the Belgian, French and British air forces were disastrous. Sixty-eight aircraft were shot down or damaged⁸, the British suffering the worst losses. The Germans had fulfilled their mission: after their unstoppable surprise attack and consolidation of the bridgeheads, Belgium would capitulate within a few days.